Apple in Talks to Use Google Gemini for Siri After In-House AI Setbacks [Report]

Apple is holding early talks with Google about using its Gemini AI models to power an updated version of Siri, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The discussions come as Apple looks to regain ground in generative AI after repeated setbacks with its own projects.

The shift follows Apple's decision to delay its most ambitious Siri upgrade, a version that would let the assistant tap into personal data and control devices entirely by voice. Those features, originally slated for this spring, were pushed back by a year due to engineering issues. In response, Apple removed AI chief John Giannandrea from day-to-day Siri work, putting software head Craig Federighi and Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell in charge.

According to the report, Apple is now running an internal bake-off, testing two versions of the new Siri: one called "Linwood," powered by its own models, and another dubbed "Glenwood," which runs on outside technology. While the company had previously weighed partnerships with Anthropic and OpenAI, talks with Google are now underway. The report notes Google has already started training a custom AI model that could run on Apple's servers.


This potential partnership is separate from other AI deals. Apple already uses ChatGPT as a fallback for some Siri queries and has signaled plans for a similar Gemini integration. The new talks, however, concern using Google's models as the core foundation for the rebuilt Siri. The discussions are said to be exploratory, with no formal commercial negotiations yet.

The move comes as Apple's AI models group faces continued upheaval. Meta recently poached a key architect, Ruoming Pang, with a massive $200 million package, and several other top engineers have since followed him. Apple has reportedly begun offering raises to retain talent, but these offers are said to fall far short of what rivals are paying.
The internal pressure to advance its AI capabilities has been made clear. CEO Tim Cook recently held an all-hands meeting, telling employees that Apple "must win in AI" and is stepping up its investments. In that same meeting, Federighi explained the Siri delay was necessary to move to a more robust "end-to-end revamp" that would be a "much bigger upgrade than we envisioned."

Apple has not yet decided whether to use an external partner for Siri, but is expected to make a final call in the coming weeks. A decision to partner with Google would mark a major strategic shift for the company as it works to deliver on its AI promises.

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